Face mask with support and related method

ABSTRACT

The face mask with support includes a face mask and a support member. The face mask has left border piece, a right border piece, and a main piece. The main piece has multiple gaps where the support member is positioned. The support member has a left edge, a right edge, and a flexible piece. When the upper and lower rim of the face mask are pulled apart, the left border piece and the right border piece are brought closer towards each other, pushing the left and right edges to bend the support member and creating a buffer space between the main piece and the wearer&#39;s face. The face mask enhances wearer breathing smoothness, and its tightness against the wearer&#39;s face.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (a) Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally related to face masks, and more particular to a face mask having an embodied support structure.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

Face masks provide protection against hazardous components in the air such as dust particles and pathogens. During the recent global pandemic, face masks have become people's standard protective equipment.

Wearing a face mask is a not comfortable act as the nose and mouth are constantly covered. In addition, the inside of the face mask, as well as the wearer's face, may be stained by the wearer's lipstick or saliva.

There are some face masks designed with means to create a buffer space between a wearer's face and the face mask. Usually, this is achieved by a frame to prop up the face mask. This additional frame adds to the face mask's cost. In addition, the frame cannot conform to various mask and face shapes and, therefore, the buffer space created may not be satisfactory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A major objective of the present invention to add a support member to prop up a face mask so as to achieve greater comfort and better protection from the face mask.

To achieve the objective, the face mask with support includes a face mask and a support member. The face mask has left border piece, a right border piece, and a main piece. The main piece has multiple gaps where the support member is positioned. The support member has a left edge, a right edge, and a flexible piece.

When the upper and lower rim of the face mask are pulled apart to cover a wearer's face, the left border piece and the right border piece are brought closer towards each other, pushing the left and right edges to bend the support member and creating a buffer space between the main piece and the wearer's face.

The face mask enhances wearer breathing smoothness, and its tightness against the wearer's face. The support member may be recycled to fit in a new face mask when the old one has to be discarded, thereby reducing usage cost. The support member may be fit on face masks of various types. In addition, as the face mask bulges forward, its rims are attached more tightly to the wearer's face, providing greater shielding and protection.

Through the above teaching, the shortcomings of the conventional face masks using frames are resolved.

The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.

Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram showing a face mask according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective breakdown diagram showing the face mask of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the steps of a face mask supporting method according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing how the face mask of FIG. 1 is unfolded.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing how the face mask of FIG. 1 is worn.

FIG. 6 is a perspective diagram showing a face mask according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional diagram showing the face mask of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 is a perspective breakdown diagram showing the face mask of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing how the face mask of FIG. 6 is unfolded.

FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram showing a face mask according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional diagram showing the face mask of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 is a perspective breakdown diagram showing the face mask of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 13 is a perspective diagram showing a face mask according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional diagram showing the face mask of FIG. 13 .

FIG. 15 is a perspective breakdown diagram showing the face mask of FIG. 13 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 , a face mask with support according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a face mask 1 and a support member 2. The face mask 1 includes

a left border piece 11 along a lateral edge of the face mask 1;

a right border piece 12 along another lateral edge opposite the left border piece 11 of the face mask 1; and

a main piece 13 between the left border piece 11 and the right border piece 12 whose two lateral edges respectively joined with the left border piece 11 and the right border piece 12.

In the present embodiment, the left border piece 11 and the right border piece 12 are hot-melted to the main piece 13.

The main piece 13 has multiple plies and a number of gaps 14 between the plies.

The flexible support member 2 is positioned in the gaps 14, and includes

a left edge 21 along a lateral edge of the support member 2;

a right edge 22 along another lateral edge of the support member 2 opposite to the left edge 21; and

a flexible piece 23 between the left edge 21 and the right edge 22.

The face mask with support of the present embodiment, as described above, is able to offer usage comfort and convenience, and lower production cost.

The present invention also teach a face mask supporting method:

-   -   (a) support installation: placing a support member 2 inside the         gaps 14 of a face mask 1;     -   (b) support positioning: pressing a left edge 21 of the support         member 2 against a left border piece 11 of the face mask 1 and         pressing a right edge 22 of the support member 2 against a right         border piece 12 of the face mask 1;     -   (c) mask unfolding pulling an upper rim and a lower rim of the         face mask 1 so that the plies of a main piece 13 of the face         mask 1 are unfolded to fit on a wearer's face and the left         border piece 11 and the right border piece 12 are driven towards         each other; and     -   (d) mask supporting: propping up the main piece 13 to create a         buffer space 15 as the support member 2 is bended when the left         edge 21 and the right edge 22 of the support member 2 are         pressed by the left border piece 11 and the right border piece         12, where, due to the resilience of the support member 2, the         upper and lower rims of the face mask 1 are more stuck to the         wearer's face.

The width of the support member 2 from the left edge 21 to the right edge 22 is preferably between 95% and 105% of the distance between the left border piece 11 and the right border piece 12. In the present embodiment, the width of the support member 2 is 160 mm.

To use the face mask 1, a user pulls the upper and lower rim of the face mask 1 so that the plies of the face mask 1 are unfolded to completely cover the user's mouth and nose. As the fixation by the left border piece 11 and the right border piece 12, the unfolding of the face mask 1 turns it from a planar configuration into a three-dimensional configuration, and the left border piece 11 and the right border piece 12 are brought closer towards each other. In the meantime, the left border piece 11 pushes the left edge 21, and the right border piece 12 pushes the right edge 22, thereby exerting a force to bend the support member 2. A wearer may slightly assist the flexible piece 23's bending outward by his/her finger. As the flexible piece 23 props up the face mask 1's main piece 13 away from the wearer's face, a buffer space 15 between the main piece 13 and the wearer's face as such is created.

As described above, the installation of the support member 2 in the gaps 14 may be used to create the buffer space 15 so that the wearing of the face mask 1 is more comfortable. In addition, as the support member 2's flexible piece 23 is bended forward and as the face mask 1 has a fixed area, the forward protrusion of the support member 2 makes the left edge 21 and the right edge 22 more closely attached to the wearer's face, achieving greater shielding effect. As shown in FIG. 5 , the upper and lower rims of the face mask 1 would also be more tightly attached to the wearer's face as well, further enhancing the protection by the face mask 1. The wearing of the face mask 1 involves actions just like wearing any ordinary face masks and, therefore, the application of the face mask is easy and convenient. The installation of the support member 2 is simply achieved by placement in the gaps 14 without additional fastening or clapping, which is also very easy and convenient and may even achieve better positioning. The buffer space 15 is created from the flexibility of the support member 2, which can be used with face masks of various types. When the face mask 1 has to be discarded, the support member 2 can be recycled to use on a new face mask 1, thereby reducing usage cost.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 , a second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the previous embodiment. The difference lies in that the support member 2 a has a H-like shape, instead of a rectangular shape, having an upper notch 24 a so that, when the face mask are worn, the wearer's nose and mouth are specifically avoided by the support member 2 a. In the meantime, the left edge 21 a and the right edge 22 a are significantly lengthened so that the support member 2 a's position in the gap 14 a is more stable and the bending of the support member 2 a is more efficient.

The main piece of the face mask 1 a includes a planar piece 3 a, a first upper bending section 31 a having an inverted U-shaped cross-section whose front edge joined to an upper edge of the planar piece 3 a, a first upper piece 32 a whose upper edge is joined to a back edge of the first upper bending section 31 a, a second upper bending section 33 a having a U-shaped cross-section whose front edge is joined to a lower edge of the first upper piece 32 a, a planar second upper piece 34 a whose lower edge is joined to a back edge of the second upper bending section 33 a, a first lower bending section 35 a having a U-shaped cross-section whose front edge is joined to a lower edge of the planar piece 3 a, a first lower piece 36 a whose lower edge is joined to a back edge of the first lower bending section 35 a, a second lower bending section 37 a whose front edge is joined to an upper edge of the first lower piece 36 a, and a second lower piece 38 a whose upper edge is joined to a back edge of the second lower bending section 37 a.

The planar piece 3 a has a first height with a lateral first bisector line. The second upper piece 34 a has a second height, and the second lower piece 38 a has a third height. The face mask 1 a has an overall height from the second upper piece 34 a's upper edge to the second lower piece 38 a's lower edge. The face mask 1 a overall height has a lateral second bisector line. The distance between the first lateral line and the second lateral line is called the offset distance. The first height is between 42% and 64% of the face mask 1 a overall height, the second height is between 42% and 48% of the face mask 1 a overall height, and the third height is between 31% and 39% of the face mask 1 a overall height. The first lateral line is below the second lateral line, and the offset distance is between 2% and 10% of the face mask 1 a overall height.

A gap 14 a is formed between the first upper bending section 31 a and the second upper bending section 33 a, and another gaps 14 a is formed between the first lower bending section 35 a and the second lower bending section 37 a. The support member 2 a may be placed in the gaps 14 a. In the present embodiment, the support member 2 a is plugged into both gaps 14 a and, therefore, is positioned between the first upper bending section 31 a and the first lower bending section 35 a.

As such, a graphic pattern, a logo, or an advertisement may be completely presented on the planar piece 3 a without being affected by the plies. The face mask 1 a of the present embodiment effectively provides only two layers involving the planar piece 3 a and the second upper piece 34 a (or the second lower piece 38 a). The unfolding of the face mask 1 can be easily achieved by pulling open the first upper piece 32 a and the second upper piece 34 a (or the first lower piece 36 a and second lower piece 38 a). With the first upper piece 32 a, second upper piece 34 a, first lower piece 36 a, and second lower piece 38 a supporting the planar piece 3 a, a greater buffer space is achieved by the support member 2 a, facilitating the wearer's smooth breathing.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 , a third embodiment of the present invention is similar to the previous embodiment. The difference lies in that the first height of the planar piece 3 b is generally equal to the face mask 1 b overall height. As such, a larger planar piece 3 b capable of offering more space for graphic patterns is provided. The support member 2 b also provides a more comfortable wearing experience.

As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 , a fourth embodiment of the present invention is similar to the previous embodiment. The difference lies in that the face mask 1 c provides a greater number of layers. The support member 2 c is again plugged into gaps 14 c, demonstrating that the support member 2 c is applicable to various types of face masks.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the claims of the present invention. 

I claim:
 1. A face mask with support, comprising: a face mask comprising a left border piece along a lateral edge of the face mask, a right border piece along another lateral edge opposite the left border piece of the face mask, and a main piece between the left and right border pieces, where the main piece has a plurality of gaps; and a support member positioned in the gaps comprising a left edge along a lateral edge of the support member, a right edge along another lateral edge of the support member opposite to the left edge, and a flexible piece between the left and right edges; wherein the left and right edges are respectively pressed against the left and right border pieces by the flexible piece; and, when the flexible piece is bended forward, a buffer space is selectively created between the face mask and a wearer's face.
 2. The face mask according to claim 1, wherein, when the face mask is in a planar configuration, the width of the support member from the left edge to the right edge is between 95% and 105% of the distance between the left border piece and the right border piece.
 3. The face mask according to claim 1, wherein the main piece comprises a planar piece, a first upper bending section having an inverted U-shaped cross-section whose front edge joined to an upper edge of the planar piece, a first upper piece whose upper edge is joined to a back edge of the first upper bending section, a second upper bending section having a U-shaped cross-section whose front edge is joined to a lower edge of the first upper piece, a planar second upper piece whose lower edge is joined to a back edge of the second upper bending section, a first lower bending section having a U-shaped cross-section whose front edge is joined to a lower edge of the planar piece, a first lower piece whose lower edge is joined to a back edge of the first lower bending section, a second lower bending section whose front edge is joined to an upper edge of the first lower piece, and a second lower piece whose upper edge is joined to a back edge of the second lower bending section.
 4. The face mask according to claim 3, wherein the planar piece has a first height with a lateral first bisector line, the second upper piece has a second height, the second lower piece has a third height, and the face mask has an overall height from the second upper piece's upper edge to the second lower piece's lower edge; the face mask overall height has a lateral second bisector line; the first height is between 42% to 64% of the face mask overall height; the second height is between 42% to 48% of the face mask overall height; the third height is between 31% to 39% of the face mask overall height; the first lateral line is below the second lateral line; and an offset distance between the first lateral line and the second lateral line is between 2% to 10% of the face mask overall height.
 5. The face mask according to claim 1, wherein the support member has an H-like shape with an upper notch.
 6. A face mask supporting method, comprising: (a) placing a support member inside gaps of a face mask; (b) pressing a left edge of the support member against a left border piece of the face mask and pressing a right edge of the support member against a right border piece of the face mask; (c) pulling an upper rim and a lower rim of the face mask so that a main piece of the face mask are unfolded to fit on a wearer's face and the left border piece and the right border piece are driven towards each other; and (d) propping up the main piece to create a buffer space as a flexible piece of the support member is bended when the left edge and the right edge of the support member are pressed by the left border piece and the right border piece, where, due to the resilience of the support member, the upper and lower rims of the face mask are more stuck to the wearer's face.
 7. The face mask supporting method according to claim 6, wherein, when the face mask is in a planar configuration, the width of the support member from the left edge to the right edge is between 95% and 105% of the distance between the left border piece and the right border piece.
 8. The face mask supporting method according to claim 6, wherein the main piece comprises a planar piece, a first upper bending section having an inverted U-shaped cross-section whose front edge joined to an upper edge of the planar piece, a first upper piece whose upper edge is joined to a back edge of the first upper bending section, a second upper bending section having a U-shaped cross-section whose front edge is joined to a lower edge of the first upper piece, a planar second upper piece whose lower edge is joined to a back edge of the second upper bending section, a first lower bending section having a U-shaped cross-section whose front edge is joined to a lower edge of the planar piece, a first lower piece whose lower edge is joined to a back edge of the first lower bending section, a second lower bending section whose front edge is joined to an upper edge of the first lower piece, and a second lower piece whose upper edge is joined to a back edge of the second lower bending section.
 9. The face mask supporting method according to claim 8, wherein the planar piece has a first height with a lateral first bisector line, the second upper piece has a second height, the second lower piece has a third height, and the face mask has an overall height from the second upper piece's upper edge to the second lower piece's lower edge; the face mask overall height has a lateral second bisector line; the first height is between 42% to 64% of the face mask overall height; the second height is between 42% to 48% of the face mask overall height; the third height is between 31% to 39% of the face mask overall height; the first lateral line is below the second lateral line; and an offset distance between the first lateral line and the second lateral line is between 2% to 10% of the face mask overall height.
 10. The face mask supporting method according to claim 6, wherein the support member has an H-like shape with an upper notch. 